Date/Time
Sunday 18 May 2025
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Categories Community Event
Book here now: £15 full price • £10 or £7 if you prefer – please pay what you can*
The Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Concert Band is in its 31st year, having been established in May 1994 to augment the existing Corps of Drums; many of the original members were serving and retired Fire & Rescue Service personnel and their families. This accomplished band currently has over 40 members, including former professional musicians and skilled amateurs from the broader local community. They perform across Devon and Somerset throughout the year, including at open days, fêtes and concerts for a wide variety of organisations and charities, both as the full concert band and as smaller wind and brass ensembles. They are proud to represent the Fire Service in all their activities and to support local charities.
The Concert Band plays a varied repertoire including military marches, classical pieces, big band classics, pop and ragtime numbers, and medleys from films and musicals, as well as some contemporary music. Under the direction of former Royal Marines bandsman, Martin Andrew, since July 2015 the band has furthered its excellent reputation in the region. Recent highlights include performing: at the Royal Naval Trafalgar Day Services in Exeter Cathedral 2021 & 2024; for the RNLI 200th Anniversary Celebrations in Exmouth 2024; at the Devon Festival of Remembrance at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth 2019, and for HRH Princess Royal for the Fire Service College’s 50th Anniversary in January 2025.
Annual performances include: the Mayor’s Charity Concerts at Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot; the Fire & Rescue Service Open Day at Service Headquarters, Clyst St George; the Service’s Annual Awards Ceremony and the Blue Light Carol Service held in Exeter Cathedral.
The programme on 18 May will include a wide variety of music styles including classical, pop music and film music, plus some contemporary concert band pieces. Highlights are:
Prismatic Light – a rousing concert opener by Scottish composer Alan Fernie;
Morning, Noon & Night in Vienna – the classic overture by Franz von Suppé which is equally at home on the opera stage, concert stage or even in an animated cartoon!
Trumpet Voluntary – the famous wedding entrance music by Jeremiah Clarke;
Swing When You’re Winning – a medley of big band numbers from Robbie Williams’ 2001 Album including Have You Met Mrs. Jones?, Mack The Knife, Somethin’ Stupid, Things and Beyond The Sea. The DSFRS Concert Band members look forward to sharing this varied feast of music with you.
Band Director Martin Andrew BMus (Hons) MA PGDip
Born in Burnley, Lancashire, Martin developed an interest in percussion at the age of 5 and thereafter progressed through school and youth music groups, joining the Royal Marines Band Service in 1988. He served for 24 years, including time on board the Royal Yacht Britannia and as percussion instructor at The Royal Marines School of Music, Portsmouth. In 2011, Martin joined the Royal Navy Careers Service, where he remains to date, having been promoted to South West Recruiting Manager in 2017. Martin’s passion for music is infectious and the Concert Band benefits hugely from his professionalism, knowledge, inspiration, encouragement and fun!
==
See Access, Tickets & Finding Us for more about why there are three ticket prices, plus other useful info about coming to events at Ashburton Arts Centre: getting here, parking, loos, PA tickets, etc.
* We usually have three ticket prices – please pay what you can. If you can pay the full price, that’s great. If choosing a cheaper ticket allows you to come to more things, then please do! Ticket receipts are split between the artists (it’s usually their livelihood!) and the arts centre (keeps the place going). Except on the rare occasions when we have a sellout gig on our hands, it’s always better to have someone here in the audience than an empty seat, so genuinely, please pay whatever you can.